I loved writing my post about what I learned at 21 so, 2 years on from that post, I thought Iād return with some new lessons now that Iām hurtling through my 20s.
Tomorrow I turn 24 and, before a full existential crisis kicks in, I thought Iād let you into what I learned at 23.
1. Being the single friend isnāt all that bad
When I wrote the āTwenty one things I learned at 21ā post, I was firmly in the dating game. It started as a way to write an article and soon blossomed into me going out on dates and, for the most part, enjoying them. There was a moment when I thought this could be my way out of being one of the only single people in my friendship group but, so far, it hasnāt gone that way.
Of course, as well as reaffirming the point I made in my other post like this one (that dating is hard), Iāve come to realise that being the single friend isnāt all that bad. Thereās more to life than being on someoneās arm and, honestly, Iām enjoying spending time with loved ones and feeling more comfortable in my skin..something I wasnāt always feeling when I was dating.
2. Mom jeans are a game changer
Iām so late to the party with this one but, as someone who lives in leggings and jeggings, I have a complicated relationship with jeans.
Luckily, George at Asda has created the best jeans ever (in my opinion). The denim mom jeans are fashionable with a wide range of t-shirts and tops and, thankfully, they donāt compromise on comfort either. I havenāt fully been converted to jeans but this pair does make think that proper jeans arenāt as bad as I thought. I might not be a fashion blogger but one piece of fashion advice (if you can call it that) Iāll give is that Mom jeans are a game changer.

3. Working from home isnāt that bad
After finishing university , I went through a few jobs before finding my first full time job. Like many people, I went from navigating being a twenty-something in an office of mixed ages to navigating working full time..from home.
Though there are times when I wish I could experience office culture, and establish some friendships outside of my social circle, Iāve come to realise that working from home isnāt that bad (not just because I can listen to podcasts, or singly badly to my playlists, in peace!).
4. Losing someone doesnāt get easier with age
I lost a few family members when I was younger and I think grief was put in a bubble when I was younger, you had a good cry, thought about good memories with people and – aside from a few cries later down the line – that was grief. You didnāt feel like the grief was over but it felt manageable almost.
I lost my Grandad early last year and I realised that losing someone doesnāt get easier with age. Where I focused on the good with previous losses, Iāve struggled with this loss a lot more. Due to Covid and whatever else has been going on, I donāt feel as though Iāve grieved properly. I miss him terribly but Iāll never forget the good times Iāve had with him.
5. Houses take a lot of work
Thanks to the money left by our Grandad, and money weāve saved up, my sister and I bought a house at 23. Itās been exciting but, after living in the same house since I was born, itās slightly nerve wracking as well.
It turns out houses take a lot of work. Iām loving seeing the place take shape, though, and canāt wait to get in the completed place (hopefully) by the end of the year.
6. I love writing
If youāve seen the Portfolio section of my blog, youāll know ā as well as my blog ā- I do a bit of writing. Although my job isnāt related to my degree, I have continued writing after my degree.
I might not work in a job that I love but Iām glad I get to write outside of work as, although the writing and editing process is a bit tedious, I love writing. Iām incredibly humbled when someone reaches out about something Iāve written, even if I do get imposter syndrome still!
7. I need to stop mixing my drinks
Iām not a big drinker but, Iām not sure if itās down to age or my tolerance lessening due to lockdown and āgetting back out thereā, Iāve started getting hangovers at 23.
Although easily remedied by a good nights sleep, something salty and a massive glass of orange juice wonāt fix, every time I go out I am reminded that I need to stop mixing my drinks.
8. Saying āyesā is great
Before 23, I wasnāt a āYes manā. I wasnāt exactly a āno manā (more a āmaybeā man, if thatās a thing?) but ā since life has started feeling more normal ā- Iāve started saying āyesā more.
Iāve realised, though it might be a little expensive sometimes, saying āyesā is great. The pandemic has truly made me realise how short life is so Iām definitely taking whatever opportunities I can.
9. I donāt have to just read fiction
Iāll read anything and everything but I mostly read fiction (as anyone whose read this blog for a while will probably have figured out).
Iām realising that I donāt have to just read fiction. Whilst some non-fiction will never appeal to me, Iāve realised I shouldnāt write this genre off as a whole.
10. You might see your friends less, but it only makes you love them more
Iām no longer at school so, as well as no longer stressing about coursework and revision, Iām not seeing my friends 24/7.
It does make me sad, as my friends are getting on with life without me (and Iām having to pry the gossip out of them as opposed to it being practically on tap!), but Iām realising you might see your friends less, but it only makes you love them more. I do miss not seeing my friends as much but, when I do get to see them, it reminds me that ā despite the changes going on in our lives ā they are still the same every time I see them.
11. Thereās more to life than disliking your body
In my late teens and twenties, I began to look at my body. Really look at it. This meant I compared my body to others and, in doing so, I found myself picking it apart and disliking it.
Iām beginning to realise that, whilst I will have moments when I donāt feel comfortable in my self, thereās more to life than disliking your body. My body is wonderful and capable and it gets me to so many great experiences with lovely people, so I should be more grateful and loving towards it.
12. Iām not old
Iāve found myself so many times saying āI feel oldā and ā23 is soooo oldā.
I donāt particularly think any age is āoldā but Iām realising that Iām not old and I hopefully have so much more life to liveā¦I just need to stop worrying about getting old.
13. Itās ok to feel confident
Iāve been shy for as long as I remember but something is changing within me. Though he didnāt text me back, what a guy I met once said to me has really stuck āyouāre too pretty to not be confidentā.
Whilst itās debatable whether Iām āprettyā or not (depends on the day š), Iāve realised things are much more enjoyable when you stop worrying and be confident. Iām still shy but itās ok to be confident every once in a while.
14. You canāt beat a gig
Last night, I went to a gig and had a brilliant time. I might have been shoved around and had beer (and other things) spilled on me but I had a brilliant time with so many music lovers.
I like a night out but you canāt beat a gig.
15. I love trashy TV
Whilst itād be great to say I loved watching interesting, educational documentaries, I just have to face facts: I love trashy TV.
Itās not the best quality of TV but itās always very entertaining!
16. Family time is so valuable
The last few years, and some recent events, have made me realise just how important my family are.
I enjoy my own company, and time with my friends, but family time is so valuable. You never know how long you have with someone so Iād definitely recommend connecting and enjoying their company whenever you can.
17. I like white wine
I always drink spirits and gin but, in my twenty third year of life, I realised I like white wine.
This doesnāt mean Iām anywhere near being classy, though, donāt be fooled.
18. Take your makeup off after a night out
My skincare routine is lacking but one piece of advice Iāll give (whoeverās reading this, and myself) is take your makeup off after a night out.
Itās tempting after a few too many to sink straight into bed but youāll thank yourself if your skins clear.
19. Be thankful for every opportunity
Iām not the most grateful of people but Iām learning, whether it be blogging or in general, to be thankful for every opportunity.
Itās very easy to compare success to others but Iām not going to focus on other peopleās success, Iām just going to be grateful for what comes to me.
20. I donāt like cigarettes
When I was drunk the other day, I smoked a bit of a friendās cigarette and I realised – or rather confirmed – I donāt like cigarettes.
Theyāre just gross and expensive š.
21. Iām so grateful for my sister
Iām probably feeling sentimental because itās our birthday tomorrow but Iām so grateful for my sister.
Weāve had our ups and downs in our relationship but Iām so thankful for her continued love and support and I couldnāt ask for a better sister and best mate.
22. I donāt know what Iām doing
Iāve not got a five year plan (or even a five minute plan!) and getting older just makes me realise I donāt know what Iām doing.
I donāt know what I want from the next day, month, year like some people do.
23. Nobody knows what theyāre doing
Itās very easy to think that everyone has it figured out, from word of mouth or their glossy Instagram feeds, but Iām learning that thatās not true.
Much like me, everyone is coasting through. Nobody knows what theyāre doing but weāll all get there in the end.

Definitely agree on #23 – people get it into their heads they have to have everything figured out before they leave school and if you haven’t completed x/y/z buy a certain age you’re failing at life. That is not the case and it’s taken me a while to grasp, no one has everything figured out and in a way that’s comforting. Sometimes you really have to take life day to day or week to week, sure it’s good to have goals and milestones you’d like to reach but it’s ok if you don’t get there when you thought you would š
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being the single friend! Whilst it can be hard watching people who are coupled up getting engaged, married, buying a house together and having a baby I would rather wait for someone special and get to do those things rather than feel like I’m ticking things off to say I’ve done them. The right person will be worth waiting for and if it means a bit of loneliness now that’s not so bad. The good thing about being single is you can be more selfish with your time and do what you want to do! x
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Plus being single means you donāt have someone to buy presents for so youāre saving money šš
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Honestly in the two relationships I’ve had, guys have had that attitude anyway š¦ I don’t expect to be treated like a princess but it’s nice to be made to feel special on your birthday and see someone has made an effort.
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